We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering
many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part
in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are
true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a
whole food vegan
diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have
found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you
have a health problem, see your own physician.

Millions of people suffer from painful and swollen joints associated with
arthritis. In the past, many doctors told arthritis patients that dietary
changes would not help them. However, this conclusion was based on older
research with diets that included dairy products, oil, poultry, or

meat.[1,2] New research
shows that foods may be a more frequent contributor to arthritis than is
commonly recognized. It is clear that, at least for some people, a healthier
menu is the answer.

Different Types of Arthritis

Arthritis is actually a group of different diseases. Osteoarthritis is a
gradual loss of cartilage and overgrowth of bone in the joints, especially the
knees, hips, spine, and fingertips. At least 85 percent of the population above
the age of 70 has osteoarthritis, which seems to be the result of accumulated
wear and tear. Although it can cause painful episodes, it is characterized by
only transient stiffness and does not cause major interference with the use of
the hands.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects over 2 million people, is a more
aggressive form of the disease. It causes painful, inflamed joints, which
sometimes become damaged.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of medicine's mysteries. There were no medical
reports of the disease until the early 1800s. Some have suspected that a virus
or bacterium may play a role, perhaps by setting off an autoimmune reaction.
Genetics may also be a factor, in that it may influence susceptibility to the
disease.

The Role of Diet

For years people have suspected that foods are an important factor in the
development of rheumatoid arthritis. Many notice an improvement in their
condition when they avoid dairy products, citrus fruits, tomatoes, eggplant and
certain other foods.

Initially, the evidence was anecdotal. A woman from the Midwest once suffered
from painful arthritis. Today she is a picture of health, thin and athletic, and
her arthritis is totally gone. It seemed that dairy products were to blame for
her arthritis, for when she eliminated them from her diet, the arthritis
disappeared completely.

Another woman, from Wisconsin, also found that her arthritis was clearly
linked to dairy products. Although she had been raised on a dairy farm, she
learned that staying away from dairy products was the key to relieving her
symptoms.

A 1989 survey of over one thousand arthritis patients revealed that the foods
most commonly believed to worsen the condition were red meat, sugar, fats, salt,
caffeine, and nightshade plants (e.g., tomatoes, eggplant).[3]
Once the offending food is eliminated completely, improvement usually comes
within a few weeks. Dairy foods are probably the principle offender, and the
problem is the dairy protein, rather than the fat, so skim products are as much
a problem as whole milk.[4]

An increasing volume of research shows that certain dietary changes do in
fact help. For example, polyunsaturated oils and omega-3 supplements have a mild
beneficial effect, and researchers have found that vegan diets are beneficial.[5]
Several studies have also shown that supervised fasting can be helpful.[6]

Vegan diets dramatically reduce the overall amount of fat in the diet, and
alter the composition of fats. This in turn can affect the immune processes that
influence arthritis. The omega-3 fatty acids in vegetables may be a key factor,
along with the near absence of saturated fat. The fact that patients also lose
weight on a vegan diet contributes to the improvement.

In addition, vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which can neutralize free
radicals. Oxygen free radicals attack many parts of the body and contribute to
heart disease and cancer, and intensify the aging processes generally, including
of the joints.

Iron acts as a catalyst, encouraging the production of these dangerous
molecules. Vitamins C and E, which are plentiful in a diet made of vegetables
and grains, help neutralize free radicals. Meats supply an overload of iron, no
vitamin C, and very little vitamin E, whereas vegetables contain more controlled
amounts of iron, and generous quantities of antioxidant vitamins.

As well as being helpful in preventing arthritis, antioxidants may also have
a role in reducing its symptoms. Some arthritis treatments, including
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, work at least in part by neutralizing
free radicals. For the most part, however, vitamins and other antioxidants will
be of more use in preventing damage before it occurs, rather than in treating an
inflamed joint.[7]

A diet drawn from fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans therefore appears to
be helpful in preventing and, in come cases, ameliorating arthritis.

A Case Study

A team of Scandinavian researchers hit upon a regimen that produced
significant improvements in rheumatoid arthritis.6 The number of tender or
swollen joints diminished, morning stiffness decreased, and grip strength
improved, as did blood tests used in the assessment of arthritis, although
X-rays of the joints did not. The program was carefully tested in comparison
with standard medical treatment. The Lancet, a prominent British medical
journal, published the report as its lead article on October 12, 1991. The
research team used the following treatment program:

The patients first began a modified fast for seven to ten days. During this
period, they consumed herbal teas, garlic, vegetable broths, and juice extracts
from carrots, beets, and celery. No fruit juices were allowed.

After the fast, the patients reintroduced a “new” food item to their diet
every other day. If they had any worsening of symptoms during the following two
days, this item was eliminated for at least seven days. If the item was
introduced again, and caused worsening of symptoms, it was omitted permanently.

For the first three to five months, they eliminated meat, fish, eggs, dairy
products, gluten (a wheat product), refined sugar, and citrus fruits. In
addition, salt, strong spices, preservatives, alcoholic beverages, tea, and
coffee were to be avoided, but would be re-eliminated if they produced symptoms.

Other Approaches

For some arthritis patients, supplements of certain essential fatty acids
have been helpful. They should be thought of as a medicine, rather than a food.
A typical regimen would include a tablespoon of flaxseed oil with 500 mg of
blackcurrant oil (or three capsules of evening primrose oil) twice each day. If
it is helpful, it should be reduced to the lowest effective dose. Some people
also benefit from an herb called feverfew, taken two to three times per day.
(Caution: Do not take feverfew if you are pregnant.)

Fair Use Notice: This document may contain copyrighted material whose use
has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owners.
We believe that this not-for-profit, educational use on the Web
constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for in section
107 of the US Copyright Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for
purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from
the copyright owner.